Classic
Plastic is a book written by Rick Polizzi. Primarily, it's a pictorial
of the great models of the '50s, '60s and '70s. Here is his well-written introduction
to the section on Show Rods:

The 1960s saw
the pinnacle of one of America's most unusual native art forms. Flowing streamlined
designs, radiant colors, and amazing craftsmanship blended together to develop
a new concept - - Show
Cars.

Show cars evolved
from the custom car, which was basically a modified version of an existing vehicle.
Early pioneers of auto customizing in the 1950's began changing and improving
their wheels for speed, originality, and a cool look. During these times, cars
were "chopped, tubbed, raked, and hopped-up." These basic customizing techniques
continued to become more elaborate until custom cars were being designed from
scratch or by heavily converting existing vehicles into unbelievable designs.
True show cars were distinguished by being one-of-a-kind originals, built from
the ground up. It seems a paradox that their engines were extremely powerful,
yet they rarely touched the road. In other words, these cars were meant to be
looked at, not driven. The men who created them were true artists, and their
creations were true art. Show cars belong to the genre of sculpture, and for
those of us who couldn't afford the originals, there were always the model kits.

Probably the most
famous custom car designers are George Barris and Ed Roth. Barris was one of
the pioneer customizes and has personalized automobiles for many celebrities.
An avid model and toy collector himself, Barris started making hobby kits of
his cars with Revell in 1957, the first being a 1956 Buick. He is better known
for his special cars however, and when AMT made a model kit of his 1960 Ala
Kart, a whole line of kits designed after Barris' award-winning custom cars
began.

Ed "Big Daddy"
Roth, reached cult status on auto show circuits and teen modeler circles with
his outrageous cars and Rat Fink character. (More can be found on Roth in the
Freaks, Geeks, and Oddballs chapter.)

In 1967, Monogram
and car designer Tom Daniel started a partnership that would produce 60 kits
and last nearly a decade. Daniel had previously worked for George Barris where
he helped design the Munster Koach and Dragula. One of Daniel's designs, the
Red Baron, proved to be so popular that Monogram released it in a larger 1/12
scale.

Other heavy contenders
on the show car circuit included Daryl Starbird, Carl Casper, and Bill Cushenberry.
By the end of the 1970's though, the show car craze declined in popularity.
Even though many wild rods are still being produced today, they sure don't make
'em like they used to!